Kings of Spain Visit Antigua Guatemala: Photos, Video and SlideShow
In 1492 the Spaniards came to the Americas and traded their tiny mirrors and beads for all the wealth available in gold, silver and precious metals and stones. The kings of Spain at the time never visited the “new” world. In 2007, today to be precise, the Kings of Spain, Don Juan Carlos (Charles) and Doña Sofía (Sophy) decided to pay a visit to the former colonies in the American continent. This time around the reyes, kings in Spanish, bring back some of the wealth in the form of economic aid for the third world/developing countries (poor countries: if you want to obviate the euphemisms) and they take back tiny mirrors and beads in the form of folk-art and handicrafts. Boy oh boy, what goes around, comes around.
According to the book 1491 by Charles C. Mann (related entries in AGDP), the saddest thing about the clash of the civilizations of Europe and the civilizations of the Americas was the loss more than 2,000 ways of being human. The three great empires, the Aztecs or Mexicas, the Maya and the Inca, and their cultures and knowledge pretty much vanished due warfare and disease. From the ashes and the aftermath of the greatest holocaust known to humanity (over 10 million people and counting) emerged what we now called Latin America. From the Spanish language the Spaniards left behind geysered Miguel Ángel Asturias, Gabriel García Marquéz, Rubén Darío, Juan Rulfo, Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortazar, Pablo Neruda and on and on to an endless list of Nobel-prize-winner novelists and poets.
On a personal note, this is the first time in my life that I am this close to kings and I hope that it will be the last. Adiós Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, best wishes for your trip back to Spain and say hello to Dsole and Carmen, who are doing a wonderful job painting and photographing the life of Madrid. With the reyes came the first rains of 2007; I hope that is not a sign.
Here is a small Slide Show (9 photos) of the Kings of Spain visit to San Pedro Las Huertas, La Antigua Guatemala:
Here is a small video (1:38 minutes) of the Kings of Spain visit to San Pedro Las Huertas, La Antigua Guatemala:
You may have to come back to see the video as it is being held in moderation.
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March 30th, 2007
Wow!, el que de verdad necesita quitapesares es Berger. Saludos!!
March 30th, 2007
Fotos, video y presentación de los Reyes de España en La Antigua…
En 1492 los españoles que vinieron por vez primera a América trajeron espejitos y chaquiras a cambio del oro y riqueza existente entonces. Los reyes de España de entonces nunca visitaron América hasta dónde yo sé. En 2007, hoy para ser precisos,…
March 30th, 2007
very good shoot!
March 31st, 2007
Its cool you were able to get that close to them.
March 31st, 2007
And you make a great report!!
I have never seen them so close… mejor dicho, creo que nunca los he visto en persona
The truth is I’m not a very king and queen person but I think they’re nice people and export a great Spain image.
Ah oh, just say that it’s D. Juan Carlos not only Carlos
have a great day there and I’ll wait for your chocolate fountain
March 31st, 2007
I found your website while down here in Antigua during Holy week. This being my first time I have used your site frequently. I must say this small colonial town is definetly packed with people to the utmost capacity. During the visit de los Reyes I was not able to get as close as your photos show thank you for your great shots and information. I will definetly come again, stay longer and have a better command of the language..
March 31st, 2007
woa rudy great job!!!!
April 3rd, 2007
I’m impressed with the photo. And the irony in your commentery.
April 3rd, 2007
Pues eso!
vale tio! que noz haz traido una interezante dezcripzion de la vizita, me encanto tu azertado comentario zobre la hiztoria de la famila “real” (que lo de “real” puez ez que eztan vivoz, que yo zepa por el momento zangre azul no la tiene nadie)
Puez grazias, y dizfruta de las Prozeciones.
April 25th, 2007
[...] In the photo you can see only a fraction of washbasins stations around this huge public lavadero in San Pedro Las Huertas. In one of the captions for the photos linked above I said that “public laundry washbasins [...]
May 8th, 2008
[...] these would-be High School teachers learning Guatemalan history on Sunday in front of the Church of San Pedro Las Huertas. I learnt that these future teachers were taking tours around the churches of Departamento of [...]